Dan’s Daily: Trouba Whiffs on Blatant Headshot, Penguins Draft Expectations

It’s all things funny, sad and enraging. New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba has been the scourge of the 2022 NHL playoffs with a string of borderline and illegal hits almost exclusively to opponents’ heads. He whiffed comically on Thursday night. Fired Boston Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy already has interest from several teams. Nazem Kadri could play in the Stanley Cup Final. Johnny Gaudreau and the NHL rumors. And what are the Pittsburgh Penguins’ draft expectations?

Let’s get straight to Trouba. It’s a Gong Show that the NHL hasn’t yet dealt with the problem. Perhaps an overt and obvious attempt to decapitate Ondrej Palat will send the DoPS into action. (You just started laughing, didn’t you?)

Technically, the league could suspend Trouba for unsportsmanlike conduct. Despite missing, the NHL suspended Evgeni Malkin for swinging his stick at a Philadelphia Flyers player. So, it can be done. It SHOULD be done. A suspension, not the stick swinging…

NHL Playoffs:

Trouba went off his tracks pic.twitter.com/ZhNAEkrfE9

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) June 10, 2022

NHL.com: Oh, and the Tampa Bay Lightning won Game 5 after a dominant third period. They beat the New York Rangers 3-1 and lead the series 3-2.

Colorado Hockey Now: There’s a chance. He’s not ruled out, so Nazem Kadri could play in the Stanley Cup Final. Colorado Avalanche coverage.

After a few years of heartbreaking failures, such as wasting a 2-0 lead to Vegas last season and then getting run out of the series, the Avalanche have learned. Avalanche analysis.

Pittsburgh Penguins:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: What can the Penguins expect to get with the 21st pick in the 2022 NHL Draft? Dave Molinari looked at the recent talent level at that pick, which bodes very well for the Pittsburgh Penguins draft.

The Athletic: Hailey Salvain laid out the potential landing spots for Johnny Gaudreau this summer. While I don’t think it’s likely, she did make a solid case for several teams, including the Penguins.

NHL Rumors, News & National Hockey Now:

Boston Hockey Now: Bruce Cassidy had an acrimonious split with the Boston Bruins. In his own words, he admitted to being a bit salty after getting the boot this week. However, other teams didn’t waste time, and Cassidy is already talking to other teams. Boston Bruins news.

TSN: What about Claude Giroux re-signing in Florida? And what about Gaudreau? Pierre LeBrun also dove into the Gaudreau and the growing NHL rumors around Giroux and “Johnny Hockey.”

Calgary: Colleague Steve Macfarlane writes that the deal with Gaudreau may not happen until the 11th hour. Calgary Flames coverage.

Montreal: Sources tell our colleagues that the Montreal Canadiens may have circled Ville Husso to replace Carey Price, and the Canadiens have already done some heavy scouting. Montreal Canadiens news.

Philly: Buckle up for this one. Oddsmakers like John Tortorella to be the next head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Vancouver: Rob Simpson looked at Patrik Allvin’s affinity for Nordic players, including Juuso Riikola and Valterri Puustinen. Vancouver Canucks analysis.